Kia ora whānau

It has been a fantastic start to the school year! Excited ākonga, positive teachers, happy parents and brilliant weather. I enjoy seeing the strong connections that our teachers make with your children in such a short time. I want to acknowledge the caring nature of our older children supporting the newer children as they work through their first day nerves.

As a parent/caregiver, there are a few key things you need to have ready to make the most of the year. Have you:

• Downloaded and become familiar with the HERO App on your phone

• Updated personal details (if not contact the office)

• Thought about joining the Friends of West Melton School group

• Named all items of your child/rens clothing (there is a lot in lost property already)

We hope to see many of you this afternoon at one of the Meet the Teacher sessions or at the school picnic. This is a great opportunity for you to hear about your child/rens programme and for current and new families to meet and mingle afterwards. BYO picnic for your family or purchase from FUSH food cart, the coffee cart or FoWMS ice creams.

A large number of families and community members have utilised the swimming pool and school facilities over the summer break. We’d like to thank all the parent helpers on the swimming pool roster who ensured the pool was accessible to our school community. We really appreciate you volunteering your time.

Last night I attended the first Friends of West Melton School (FoWMS) meeting for the year. What a great group of enthusiastic, positive and caring people. We are so lucky to have members of our community willing to help support our school. The AGM and second meeting for the term is being held on Wednesday 8 March at 7.00pm in the staffroom. We have a number of hard working people stepping down from the FoWMS, leaving gaps for new members. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the office for more information. The FoWMS are particularly keen to find a treasurer to join the team. Being part of the FoWMS is a great way of giving back and connecting with the school community. Full training will be provided.  There will be more information coming soon.

Some of you may be aware of the Teachers Collective Agreement negotiations currently underway. As a result of negotiations there is a paid union meeting being held on Tuesday 28 February from 2.00 - 3.00pm. NZEI Te Roa members have an entitlement to attend two paid union meetings per year. We normally have been able to ensure that school stays open, however this time we are unable to sufficiently and safely staff our school. Therefore school will close at 1.30pm that afternoon. Buses will be running at 1.30pm. We ask that you collect your child/ren from school at this earlier time. Thank you for your understanding and support. Should you like to learn more about the campaign, Brad Meads will run a brief information session at 4.50pm up in Tōtara this afternoon.

Just a reminder that events can be found on our calendar. Of note is the change of day and time of our Celebration of Learning. These are still held every three weeks, but are now on a Monday at 2.00pm. You are welcome to attend. For your convenience we have put together a list of Term one events and activities. 

Have a fantastic rest of the week.

Ngā mihi nui

Tracey